Royalty, Restoration, and Repair

a crown of thorns. photo credit: Samuel Lopes

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

I heard someone say that the Author who wrote that verse in Corinthians "Intentionally" put away childish things. It was not by accident or by chance, but by choice.

The decision to put away childish things and "renew our minds" goes along with the intentional act of surrender. Surrendering our will to GOD's will, surrendering our thoughts to GOD's thoughts for us is where real transformation is.

After so many years of getting hurt by ego and my own will and outlook, I'm grateful to realize how essential obedience and surrender are. While they are sometimes not easy, they're necessary for our life's journey.

Surrender is required for growth. From a child to a man, from a man to a royal, obedience has it.  As I celebrated a birthday and personal new year, I realized a few things and was given the revelation that I'll move forward with:

"Surrender is a process, but surrender is what makes you royal."

Jesus was on earth as a man, but he rose as a King. Jesus had to surrender to ascend. Sometimes It wasn’t easy. We see it when Jesus has his “Mountain top” experiences that prayer, wisdom and surrender were fully required.

Satan tempted Jesus on a mountain, but truth prevailed.

Jesus prayed on a mountain:

“Father not my will but your will be done.” - Luke 22:42

The journey requires patience, process, and surrender.

Without having an elevated view, we can’t see things how GOD sees things. Intentionally aiming to see them how GOD sees them is surrender. . . It’s the stuff Kings and Queens are made of.

Dr. King literally said “I’ve been to the mountain top”. Great vision comes from a high view. . . The Most High’s view to be specific. A lot of people declare a certain age to be their “Jesus Year”, but I proclaim this year as my “Queen Year”.

• This is the year that the only validation I seek is GODs.
• This is the year that GOD’s kingdom for me will be established through me.

The greatness of Jesus' story is not that he died, but that he was revived. I’m grateful that life's journey requires daily refreshing and surrender. As long as my soul is restored I can live and I can continue to rise.

We have to submit our mind, body and soul to the Lord in order for them to be restored. “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” - Psalm 23:3

Surrender.

“A Queen is not afraid to fail” As I continue to surrender to love, I know I never will.

I am embracing my Queen Year! Cheers to the Divine Royalty within us.

Repentance, Renewal and Resurrection

Maybe 2020 is forcing us to step up.  .  . uncomfortable huh? Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have nails pierced through your hands to help hold you up on a cross, while you rocked a crown of thorns on your head . . . way too graphic I know, but praise GOD that's not the case, I digress.

I remember in early January when someone said 2020 would be a great year for me, I agreed, but really became aware today, Resurrection Sunday in the midst of COVID-19, that all things, at each moment should be from the perspective of the plans GOD has for us as believers.

Listen to the full pod: "Repentance, Renewal and Resurrection" here. It's a bonus episode! Happy Easter!

Scripture References:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. - Isaiah 55:8

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and don't lean toward your own understanding; - Proverbs 3:5

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. - Romans 8:12-13

And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that so you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. - Revelation 1:18


Repentance Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior 

Don't Get Even, Heal

"DON'T GET EVEN. HEAL."

In the days leading up to Easter I've come across this post on social media a few times. It spoke to me deeply each time I saw it. "Don't Get Even, Heal". Four words with so much depth. As today is Easter and many celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I thought about the four words in the context of everything that Christ went through leading up to crucifixion on the cross. He didn't try to get even, and he did more than heal, He manifested so that we as believers could be whole. 

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. - Romans 4:25

 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

Just letting that last part sink in: "By His stripes we are healed." Because Christ didn't think to get even, didn't think to fight back or get revenge, WE are healed. 

The world needs our WHOLE, HEALED selves. Being that Jesus was healed he knew and walked in his purpose. Although that may have been hard to carry out, his determination was stronger than his distractions. A life of peace and abundance is a focused life, where the focus is on GOD's will (our divine calling). I'm definitely grateful for the inspiration that Christ's story presents and the peace that I've experienced with focusing on GOD's will in my own life.

I pray that we continue to focus on our healing and wholeness that's promised to us as believers, in Jesus name. 

Happy Resurrection Celebration From BreathOfLifeDaily.com